When Sue Ann Arnall graduated from law school in 1980, women accounted for just 10% of her class. Forty years later, that is up to 50%, and Arnall is leading a major philanthropic effort to improve the odds for foster children, abused animals, broken families and those going through the criminal justice system.

In those early days, workplace practices included typewriters placed on the desks of female staffers while men were spared the expectation of typing. And when she entered the energy industry, Arnall saw it was overwhelmingly dominated by men.

“I couldn’t compete on their terms, such as playing golf, meeting up for drinks after work, and generally all the entertaining expected,” Arnall said. “So, I looked for areas where the measurement of my success would be more objective. This is how I got into crude oil futures trading. My success was measured by how much money I made each month.”

Now Arnall’s efforts go beyond philanthropy. She was a major backer of a successful effort to regulate puppy mills in 2010 and then provided office space and support for those seeking to enforce the new law. Her Arnall Family Foundation donated a $20 million match for MAPS 4 creation of a diversion hub to help guide criminal defendants through the justice system and to recovery. As part of that effort, Arnall spent hours sitting through city council hearings on the ballot initiative last fall. She also has spent hours attending Criminal Justice Advisory Council meetings (she is now a member) and is a trustee for the Oklahoma County jail trust.

“I simply couldn’t un-see the inequities that I found with disadvantaged youth, adults and animals,” Arnall said. “Once I saw gross mistreatment or unfairness, I looked for gaps in the systems that I could address. As with most people, my sympathies are with those who are not given a fair chance to succeed.”

Arnall’s immediate focus is on the diversion hub, which she notes was inspired by the realization that children in distress and in broken families often resulted from one or both parents being incarcerated. She saw how those with money could pay fines and penalties and avoid long jail time while the poor were imprisoned because they didn’t have the same resources.

“How could I not get involved?” Arnall asked.

Instead of waiting for MAPS 4 to start up operations, Arnall has spent the past few months working with the diversion hub leadership to set up a temporary home.

Arnall, 63, cautioned the journey for women to realize their role as leaders and change agents is far from over.

“While we women have come a long way in the last 50 years, very few of us has realized her full potential,” Arnall said. “Do not let your gender limit your dreams. And then, of course, do what that which women most excel, turn setbacks into opportunities.”

Steve Lackmeyer

Steve Lackmeyer is a reporter, columnist and author who started his career at The Oklahoman in 1990. Since then, he has won numerous awards for his coverage, which included the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, the city's...
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